2011
Shrines of Italy
Pilgrimage
Wednesday, September 7, to Friday, September 23, 2011
(17 days, 15 nights)
Price is $3799
When making an early reservation, call us at 908-689-8792 for discount information.
Non-refundable deposit per person… $300
Single supplement... $499
Three in a room...(family and friends only) Deduct $50 per person
Includes: Milan, San Damiano, Montichiari,
Fontanelle, Padua, Venice, Florence, Siena,
Assisi, Osimo (Shrine of Joseph Cupertino), Loreto,
San Giovanni Rotondo, St. Michael’s Cave,
Pietrelcina, Mugnano del Cardinale
(Shrine of St. Philomena), Pompeii, and Rome
Tour Coordinator — Dr. Rosalie A. Turton
Joining us will be the
101 Pilgrim Virgin Statue
The price includes: air transportation and taxes,
airport transfers, baggage transfers, deluxe motorcoach,
breakfast daily in hotel, dinner daily in hotel or local restaurants,
Priest, Mass and four Rosaries daily.
1) Wed., Sept. 7: on plane
Early evening departure from New York area.
2) Thur., Sept. 8: San Damiano (2 nights)
Morning arrival in Milan. Visit the famous and majestic Cathedral, described by Mark Twain as “a poem in marble,” the 3rd largest church in Europe.
Our Mass is scheduled in the beautiful Crypt of St. Charles Boromeo. We will visit the church of the Maria Bambina. Time permitting, visit St. Ambrogio
church to see the tomb of St. Ambrose and martyrs. Then we have tickets to visit the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, to see nearby the original painting of the Last Supper (30’ x 15’). Proceed to San Damiano for a truly
gourmet dinner and overnight.
3) Fri., Sept. 9: San Damiano
Morning mass at the old and wonderful Church of St.
Germano in Podenzano. Then we will have our lunch at the Apparition site in San Damiano, where Our Lady is said to have appeared to Mama Rosa Quattrini before her death,
some 27 years ago, for a talk and presentation. Then we will proceed to the interesting one hour visit to the Count Visconty Estates for browsing, and a Castle dinner there.
4) Sat., Sept. 10: Vincenza (1 night)
Morning drive to Montichiari, origin of the famous
Rosa Mystica apparitions to Pierina Gilli. We will visit
the Basilica of Montichiari where Our Lady appeared to Pierina a number of times and gave messages. Afternoon
visit to Fontanelle where the Blessed Mother also appeared to Pierina, and to obtain miraculous healing water from“The Spring of Grace,” to see the Rosa Mystica Chapel, and the Cross of Grace. Visit home of Pierina Gilli and the cemetery where she is buried. Drive to Vincenza, to see the Shrine of the
Madonna of Mount Berico, which 30 days magazine recently said is one of the most important places of Marian Devotion in Europe.
5) Sun., Sept. 11: Padua (2 nights)
Morning Mass is in the Basilica of Vincenza. Then we
will visit the church of St. Leopold. We will view the clock tower in the popular Piazza del Signori Square. Then we will visit the enormous first international Basilica of Saint
Anthony, to view his incorrupt tongue, vocal cords, and jawbone.
He died at the age of 36 and was canonized in less than a year after his death. We will see the beautiful Basilica of St. Justina, wherein lie the bodies of St. Luke and St. Mathias, with its circular moat and famous 17th century oval garden and 4 bridges. Then we will visit the Scrovegni Chapel (by appointment), where Giotto painted 38 scenes of the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary; St. George’s Oratory with 21 historic frescoes.
6) Mon., Sept. 12: Padua
After morning Mass, we drive to Venice to see St. Mark’s Cathedral and Square. We will take a boat ride on the Grand Canal and an optional Gondola ride on the narrow waterways. On your own, you will have the opportunity to visit the Palace of the Doges where you can see the Bridge of
the Sighs, and the Dungeons. You may wish to visit the bell
tower which has a commanding view of the islands. Dinner and overnight in Padua.
7) Tues., Sept. 13: Siena (2 nights)
Arrive early in Florence for sightseeing and visits.
Our bus will proceed for a majestic view of Florence on the mountainside of Piazzate Michaelangelo Forte de Belvidere., overlooking the Ponte Veccho bridge over the Arno river above Florence, and the famous dome of the Santa Maria del Fiore Church, which is the Duomo.. On appointment, Mass at 4 p.m. and see the tomb containing the remains of Maria Valtorta. It is open to the public in the Chapter Chapel of the Servite Monastery, adjacent to the famous Santissima Annunziata Basilica in Florence, the Seven Servants Church, and the founding
place of the Servite Order. It is said that the face of Our Lady there was painted by an angel. Time permiting, we will stop at the American Cemetery, about 7 miles south of Florence. About 1 hr. bus ride for dinner and overnight in Siena.
8) Wed., Sept. 14: Siena
Morning Mass at the church of St. Francis where can be
seen the over 210 miraculously incorrupt Hosts. Visit the famous Campio square of the horse races, known as the Palio. Visit the home and cell of St. Catherine, and to St.
Dominic’s Church to see the incorrupt head of St. Catherine. Private visits to the Duomo.
9) Thur., Sept. 15: Assisi (1 night)
Proceed to Assisi (about a 2 hr. ride) for visits to St.
Francis Basilica, St. Clare’s Church, Monastery of San
Damiano, and St. Mary of the Angels Basilica which contains the famous Portiuncula Chapel, where we may gain a
plenary indulgence. Near the church, is the rose bush said to have lost its thorns when St. Francis threw himself onto it to escape temptation, and the cave in which he used to pray. In the corridor leading to the rose bush, is a statue of St. Francis holding a nest on which live doves fly down to roost.
10) Fri., Sept. 16: Loreto (1 night)
Proceed for a 1 1/2 bus ride to Osimo (1/2 hr from Loreto)
to see the body of St. Joseph Cupertino, the great saint of levitation whose heart is incorrupt, for Mass at his shrine there. His Feast Day is celebrated tomorrow, Sept. 18.
Proceed to Loreto for a visit to the Holy House of Nazareth, actual home of the Holy Family, called by a former Pope, the holiest place on earth,”
11) Sat., Sept. 17: San Gio. Ro. (2 nights)
Bus to San Giovanni Rotondo, the great shrine of St.
Padre Pio. Arrive in San Giovanni Rotondo in time to make the famous Stations of the Cross (which close at 6 p.m) on the mountainside. Then partake in the services at the
new Basilica of Our Lady of Grace.
12) Sun., Sept. 18: S. Giovanni
This morning we will visit the English room for a
blessing with Padre Pio’s glove. Then we will visit Rotondo, Padre Pio’s cell, the museum walk, the old church, and his crypt. After lunch we will visit Mary Pyle’s
home. In mid-afternoon, we will bus to visit the famous Cave of St. Michael (about 1 1/2 hr. bus ride).
13) Mon., Sept. 19: Pompeii (1 night)
Early morning 2 hr. drive to Pietrelcina, birthplace of St. Padre Pio. On the way we will pay a short visit to Piano Romano Church, where Padre Pio first received the invisible stigmata. Time permitting, visit the tombs of the parents of Padre Pio, and that of Mary Pile. After lunch in Pietrelcina, proceed to Bus to Mugnano del Cardinale the Shrine of St. Philomena for Mass there. Then proceed to Pompeii to see the greatest Rosary Shrine in the world and
view the tomb of the remarkable Blessed Bertolo Longo and the museums at the Shrine. On your own, you may visit the world famous Roman ruins of Pompeii (often closes at 6 p.m.)
14) Tues., Sept. 20: Rome
After morning Mass, we will bus to Rome. On the way,
we will visit Monte Casino, the Benedictine Monastery and visit Shrines of St. Francis of Paola and Saint Januarius in Naples.
15) Wed., Sept. 21: Rome
Today we will have a Papal audience. Afternoon visits
St. Mary Major, and St. Alphonsus Church where the original picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is displayed. Visit St. Precedes Church where the bones of the martyrs
and the Pillar used in the scourging of Christ are kept.
16) Thurs., Sept. 22: Rome
This morning we will visit to the Capuchin Crypt of the Sculls, the Holy Stairs, St. John Latern Church, and possibly the Purgatory Museum. Also visit Church of St. Paul Outside the Walls where St. Paul is buried, and to see the
Crucifix which came alive and spoke to St. Bridget of Sweden. Time permitting, we will visit Tre Fontane, where Our Lady came to Bruno Cornacchiola, and the place of the beheading of St. Paul.
17) Fri., Sept. 23: same day.
Return flight to USA, arriving there early afternoon.
Use
our Pilgrimage Reservation Form
Announcing a Mini-Retreat
at Fatima House before the: Shrines of Italy, 2011 Pilgrimage
| Non-refundable deposit: | $25 per person due immediatly if interested. (Balance due within 60 days) |
| Total price is: | $199 per person for a double room $299 for a single room |
| Included are: | Three nights lodging, three full dinners, spiritual video showings, private conferences with priest upon request, Eucharistic adoration periods, Rosary, social hours, daily transportation, and transportation to and from airport. |
If you are driving, you may leave your car at Fatima House during the pilgrimage.
Daily Itinerary
Sunday, September 4, 2011:
1) Retreat officially begins at 5 p.m. (Drive here or fly into Newark, NJ, (or JFK, NY,
but Newark is better) and further instructions will be provided).
2) Dinner in excellent Washington, New Jersey restaurant (included)
3) Following dinner, there will be a Rosary and dessert at Fatima House
Monday, September 5, 2011:
1) Breakfast on your own
2) 11:30 a.m. Mass at Blue Army Shrine
3) Shrine store is usually open daily between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
4) Transportation to restaurant for lunch (on your own) and return to lodging
5) Divine Mercy Chaplet and spiritual video showings at Fatima House
6) Dinner at excellent restaurant (included) and return to lodging
Tuesday, September 6, 2011:
1) Breakfast on your own, followed by 11 a.m. Rosary and Mass at the Blue Army Shrine.
2) Transportation for lunch (on your own)
3) 3 p.m. Walking Stations of the Cross/Rosary Garden at Blue Army Shrine
4) 6:30 p.m. dinner in a different excellent restaurant (included)
5) 8 p.m. Rosary meeting, social hour and religious video
Wednesday, September 7, 2011:
1) Breakfast on your own
2) Depart for early morning Mass
3) Depart to airport